THE MAORI WAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 190, 21 December 1868, Page 3

THE MAORI WAR.

♦ WixGANui District. \ The s.s. Wanganui, which arrived at Wellington early on Saturday morning, brought the following news, a telegraphic summary of which has already appeared in our columns : — Captain Finnimore, with the Wanganui Volunteer Cavalry, had made a most important expedition against the Hau-haus. After passing. Man utahi, the foree — some sixty strong—proceeded into the bußh, attacked a pah, poured in a volley, and killed two Hauhaus. The troop then marched for the village Mokoia, making a long detour, as no one knew the direct way. This village was also burnt. A flock of 250 sheep was found on the Manawapou by two Patea settlers, who accompanied their troop, and they were brought into Patea and restored to their owners under cover of the cavalry. The rilliage of Ihupuka was also destroyed. Titoko waru's camp and main body is still in the same position at Nukumaru. The fishing village of Ototuk, this side of Nukumaru, was burnt. A magnificent canoe, together with a number of smaller ones. were broken and burnt ; and the work of devastation in the late expedition ceased, the cavalry arriving quietly in town shortly after dark. Thus ended an expedition in which live villages, one of them a war pa, growing crops of potatoes, canoes, and about twelve whares were destroyed, two Hau-haus killed, a large quantity of stock recovered, and the enemy laughed at in his very den, after the work had beo done, and all without the loss of a man or horse. The loss to the enemy cannot beless than three thousand pounds, while the moral effect mu3t be infinitely greater.

The Wanganui Chronicle of Dec. 1 7 says : — There are now about 300 armed Constabulary (exclusive of Volunteers and Militia men) between Woodall's redoubt and headquarters at Westmere. There is, however, no sign of any movement. It seems doubtful if Colonel Lycn has taken the command: can there be any hitch? Or is Colonel Whitmore to return so soon that it is considered unnecessary to make any change till ke comes ? Titoko's forbearance and not our own good management keeps us safe. It almost seems as if the arch-rebel had played out bis game, and did not know what to turn to next. The Wanganui Cavalry, under Captain Finnimore, mustered in force on Saturday night and started for the Patea. They mean to find out something of the rebel movements on as far as Waihi. It is a daring expedition, and we hope their gallantry will be amply rewarded.